Days After Being Barred from the FIFA World Cup by U.S. Authorities, CAF Referee of the Year Omar Artan Earns Prestigious UEFA Super Cup Final Assignment in Landmark Moment for Somalia and African Football. MOGADISHU, Somalia – In a remarkable turnaround that has captured the attention of the global football community, Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup Final, just days after a controversial U.S. immigration decision denied him the opportunity to officiate at the FIFA World Cup. The appointment represents one of the most significant achievements in the history of Somali…
Author: Asal Post
Veteran Public Finance Expert Sworn In as Commission on Revenue Allocation CEO, Pledges to Strengthen Devolution and Promote Fair Distribution of National Resources. NAIROBI, Kenya — The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) has ushered in a new chapter of leadership following the official swearing-in of CPA Roble Said Nuno as its new Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. The ceremony, presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, marked a significant milestone for the constitutional commission responsible for advising on the equitable sharing of revenue between the national and county governments and safeguarding the gains of devolution. The event was attended…
Health CS Urges Communities to Embrace Dialogue and Coexistence Following Deadly Clashes Linked to Resource Competition and Boundary Disputes. BURA, Tana River County – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called for renewed efforts to promote peace and dialogue among communities living along the borders of Garissa, Tana River, and Kitui counties, warning that continued conflict could undermine livelihoods, development, and social cohesion across the region. Speaking during a fundraising event for Darulhikma and Taqwa Madrassas in Darulhikma Village, Bura Constituency, Duale appealed to residents to reject violence and embrace peaceful coexistence, noting that the three neighboring counties share a…
Court Grants Police Seven Days to Complete Investigations as Victim Remains Hospitalized. GARISSA, Kenya – Four women were on Monday presented before a Garissa court in connection with an alleged abduction, robbery, and sexual assault case that has shocked residents of the town. The suspects, identified as Ayan Ahmed (23), Fartun Ahmed (19), and Ifrah Abdi (21), were ordered detained at Iftin Police Station for seven days to allow police to complete investigations. A fourth suspect, believed to be a minor, was ordered by the court to be taken to a children’s facility pending age assessment. Garissa Resident Magistrate Rachael…
First Somali Official Selected for FIFA World Cup Thanks Nation for Standing by Him After U.S. Entry Ban Ends Historic Opportunity. MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan returned home to an emotional hero’s welcome on Tuesday after being denied entry into the United States, a setback that cost him the opportunity to become the first Somali national ever to officiate at a FIFA World Cup. Artan arrived at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu to a warm reception from government officials, sports leaders, football stakeholders, and members of the public who gathered to show solidarity with the internationally…
Inspired by the Success of Wajir’s Ahmed Khalif Stadium, Mandera Moves Closer to Realizing Its Own Modern Sports Arena. MANDERA, Kenya – A new era of sports infrastructure development is taking shape across Northern Kenya after the Mandera County Government officially handed over the site for the construction of a modern 10,000-seater stadium, a landmark project expected to transform sports, youth development, and regional talent nurturing. The official handover of the stadium site to the Ministry of Defence, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), and the contractor marks a major milestone in the implementation of a project that was pledged by…
Denied entry to the United States, turned away from the world’s biggest football stage yet Somalia’s finest referee stepped off the plane in Mogadishu on Wednesday not broken, but defiant. The nation was waiting. ● Live Update | World Cup 2026 Asal Post Mogadishu, Somalia10 June 2026 Omar Abdulkadir Artan had every reason to walk off the plane quietly. Instead, he walked into a crowd. At Aden Adde International Airport on Wednesday morning, government ministers, football federation officials, fellow referees, civil society representatives, and hundreds of supporters had gathered not to mourn a setback, but to celebrate the man who…
John Ololtuaa Moves to Basic Education While Julius Bitok Takes Over Tourism in Surprise Government Reshuffle. NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has reshuffled two senior government officials, swapping the Principal Secretaries for Basic Education and Tourism in a move that comes amid mounting pressure on the education sector over school unrest, funding challenges, and teacher shortages. In changes announced Tuesday by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Julius Bitok has been moved from the State Department for Basic Education to the State Department for Tourism, while John Lekakeny Ololtuaa leaves Tourism to take charge of…
Spanish giants make stunning move for Argentine star, but Atlético point to €500 million release clause and refuse to negotiate. Published by ASAL Post Sports Desk MADRID, Spain — One of the biggest transfer stories of the summer has erupted in Spanish football after Real Madrid saw a massive €150 million bid for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez rejected, with their city rivals insisting the Argentine remains untouchable. In a highly unusual development, Real Madrid publicly confirmed that they had submitted an official offer for the World Cup-winning striker, a proposal that would have made Álvarez one of the most…
After 11 hours of questioning at Miami airport and a visa denial that shook World football, British Columbia’s premier has stepped forward inviting Africa’s best referee to officiate in Vancouver. Asal Post | Garissa / Mogadishu | June 2026 When Omar Abdulkadir Artan landed in Miami for a mandatory FIFA pre-tournament seminar, he carried a diplomatic passport, a valid single-entry U.S. visa, and the weight of a nation’s hopes. Eleven hours later, he was told he would not be admitted. The reason given: “vetting concerns.” Now, as Somalia’s government scrambles diplomatically to salvage his World Cup dream, an unexpected voice…